360-Degree Trabeculotomy for Medically Refractory Glaucoma Following Cataract Surgery and Juvenile Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE

Although angle surgeries show good success in primary congenital glaucoma, reported success in glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS) and juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) is variable and with relatively short follow-up. We evaluated longer-term outcomes of 360-degree trabeculotomy for medically refractory GFCS and JOAG.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

First operated eyes of consecutive patients with medically refractory GFCS and JOAG in a single-surgeon pediatric glaucoma practice who underwent illuminated microcatheter-assisted 360-degree trabeculotomy from February 2008 to June 2015 were reviewed. Baseline characteristics, time to failure or last visit, surgical details, final intraocular pressure (IOP), and complications were recorded. Success required IOP ≤22 mm Hg and 20% reduction without additional glaucoma surgery or devastating complication.

RESULTS

Thirty-five eyes (35 patients) were included: 25 GFCS and 10 JOAG (mean age at surgery 5.6 vs 16.7 years, respectively, P < .001). Success for GFCS and JOAG was 18 of 25 (72%) vs 6 of 10 (60%) eyes at mean follow-up of 31.9 ± 26.1 vs 24.5 ± 19.7 months, respectively. IOP was significantly reduced from baseline for both GFCS and JOAG (31.5 ± 7.5 mm Hg vs 19.2 ± 7.7 mm Hg, P < .001; and 29.5 ± 10.3 mm Hg vs 15.8 ± 6.6 mm Hg, P < .001, respectively). Fewer glaucoma medications were needed after surgery (P = .01) for GFCS but not JOAG. Complications (all but 2 spontaneously resolving) included choroidal effusion (1), vitreous hemorrhage (3), Descemet detachment (1), and persistent hyphema (2). Three-year Kaplan-Meier success for GFCS vs JOAG was 75.3% vs 53.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Illuminated microcatheter-assisted 360-degree trabeculotomy is a useful, low-risk, modestly successful initial surgical treatment for both medically refractory GFCS and JOAG.